By Adam Hamilton (HRV)<\/p>\n
Victorian star Just Believe will take on the world\u2019s best trotters in the iconic $1.8mil Elitloppet in Sweden next month.<\/p>\n
The Jess Tubbs-Myrniong trained trotter will become just the third Australian-trained runner \u2013 all of them Victorian – in the Elitloppet. Sundons Gift was the first in 2009 for Chris Lang, while the Brent Lilley-trained Maori Time contested it in 2018. Neither made the final. <\/p>\n
Like Victoria\u2019s top trotting race, the Great Southern Star, the Elitloppet consists of two eight-horse heats with the first four from each qualifying for the final on the same race card. <\/p>\n
Just Believe\u2019s invitation is great vindication for Victoria\u2019s commitment to the trotting gait. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is such an exciting moment for the Victorian harness racing industry,\u201d Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen the incredible ascent of Just Believe, including wins in ID22 and the Great Southern Star, and we are beyond thrilled to watch when he takes on some of the world\u2019s best trotters in one of the sport\u2019s most famous races. <\/p>\n
\u201cA heartfelt congratulations to Jess Tubbs, Greg Sugars and the owners in the Iona Trotting Syndicate. And to Pat Driscoll and the Yabby Dam Farms team, who bred Just Believe and have done so much to grow the quality and profile of trotting in Victoria. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt further underlines the importance on a global scale for the strong support Victoria gives to the trotting gait.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Elitloppet is run at the Solvalla track in Stockholm on May 28. <\/p>\n
Tubbs said she and husband Greg Sugars, who will drive their star in the Elitloppet, were blown away by the invitation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always watched the Elitloppet and been in awe of the incredible crowd and the atmosphere surrounding the event. It\u2019s hard to believe we are actually being given the chance to be there, let alone compete with a horse of our own,\u201d Tubbs said. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo think we\u2019re about to take our boy \u2018Harry\u2019 (Just Believe\u2019s stable name) all the way to Sweden to compete against some of the best horses in the world is just an amazing feeling. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have travelled horses around Australia before, but this is a whole new ball game. Whilst it\u2019s extremely daunting, it\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are so incredibly grateful to be given the chance.\u201d <\/p>\n
Just Believe\u2019s invitation follows a whirlwind eight months since being transferred to Tubbs. During that time, he has raced 16 times for 10 wins, five seconds and a third. His major triumphs have been in last December\u2019s Inter Dominion final and the Great Southern Star final on February 3. Both races were at Tabcorp Park Melton. <\/p>\n
Managing owner Malcolm Wells said the Elitloppet invitation continued a \u201cwhirlwind ride\u201d for the 27 people in the Iona Trotting Syndicate, which races Just Believe on lease from Pat Driscoll’s leviathan Yabby Dam Farms operation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe always knew he had special potential, but this past eight months has been amazing,\u201d Wells said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are 27 of us in the syndicate, ranging from 2.5 per cent to 20 per cent shareholders, and already 14 of us are locked-in to go to the Elitlopp.
\n\u201cEvery mountain we’ve put in front of him so far, he’s climbed. I know this is by far the biggest mountain, but I’m sure he’ll represent Victoria and Australia very well. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo Aussie has won the Elitloppet or even made the final yet. We’d love to be the first and just being part of it will be amazing.\u201d <\/p>\n
Solvalla\u2019s Sports General Anders Malmot, the man charged with recruiting horses from around the world for the Elitloppet, said Just Believe would add another dimension to the build-up and the race itself. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe look to have the best field and the most interesting race, and Just Believe will add a lot to this year\u2019s race,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also keen to continue to grow the profile of the Elitloppet around the world and we\u2019re excited to think lots of people around Australia will be watching the race through Sky Racing because Just Believe will be part of it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Just Believe will have 60 hours of plane, road and boat travel to get to the stables of Hall of Fame trainer Stig H Johnasson, where he will be based for his Elitloppet campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Adam Hamilton (HRV) Victorian star Just Believe will take on the world\u2019s best trotters in the iconic $1.8mil Elitloppet in Sweden next month. The Jess Tubbs-Myrniong trained trotter will become just the third Australian-trained runner \u2013 all of them Victorian – in the Elitloppet. Sundons Gift was the first in 2009 for Chris Lang, […]<\/p>\n